Systems and methods for manually adjusting when receiving electronic devices are scheduled to receive wirelessly delivered power from a wireless power transmitter in a wireless power network

ABSTRACT

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. A wireless power network may include a plurality of wireless power transmitters each with an embedded wireless power transmitter manager, including a wireless power manager application. The wireless power network may include a plurality of client devices with wireless power receivers. Wireless power receivers may include a power receiver application configured to communicate with the wireless power manager application. The wireless power manager application may include a device database where information about the wireless power network may be stored.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 14/330,936, filed Jul. 14, 2014, entitled“System and Method for Manually Selecting and Deselecting Devices toCharge in a Wireless Power Network,” which is herein fully incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

This application relates to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser.No. 13/891,430, filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Methodology ForPocket-forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.13/925,469, filed Jun. 24, 2013, entitled “Methodology for MultiplePocket-Forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.13/946,082, filed Jul. 19, 2013, entitled “Method for 3 DimensionalPocket-forming;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.13/891,399, filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Receivers for Wireless PowerTransmission;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.13/891,445, filed May 10, 2013, entitled “Transmitters for WirelessPower Transmission;” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/272,039, filed May 7, 2014, entitled “Systems and Method For WirelessTransmission of Power,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/272,066, filed May 7, 2014, entitled “Systems and Methods forManaging and Controlling a Wireless Power Network,” U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 14/272,124, filed May 7, 2014, entitled“System and Method for Controlling Communication Between Wireless PowerTransmitter Managers,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/330,931, filed Jul. 14, 2014, entitled “System and Method forEnabling Automatic Charging Schedules in a Wireless Power Network to Oneor More Devices,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/336,987, filed Jul. 21, 2014, entitled “System and Method for SmartRegistration of Wireless Power Receivers in a Wireless Power Network,”U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,625, filed Dec.27, 2014, entitled “Receivers for Wireless Power Transmission,” U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/583,630, filed Dec. 27,2014, entitled “Methodology for Pocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 14/583,634, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled“Transmitters for Wireless Power Transmission,” U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 14/583,640, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled“Methodology for Multiple Pocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/583,641, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “WirelessPower Transmission with Selective Range,” U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/583,643, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Methodfor 3 Dimensional Pocket-Forming,” all of which are incorporated hereinby reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transmission.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, notebooks andother electronic devices have become an everyday need in the way wecommunicate and interact with others. The frequent use of these devicesmay require a significant amount of power, which may easily deplete thebatteries attached to these devices. Therefore, a user is frequentlyneeded to plug in the device to a power source, and recharge suchdevice. This may require having to charge electronic equipment at leastonce a day, or in high-demand electronic devices more than once a day.

Such an activity may be tedious and may represent a burden to users. Forexample, a user may be required to carry chargers in case his electronicequipment is lacking power. In addition, users have to find availablepower sources to connect to. Lastly, users must plugin to a wall orother power supply to be able to charge his or her electronic device.However, such an activity may render electronic devices inoperableduring charging.

Current solutions to this problem may include devices havingrechargeable batteries. However, the aforementioned approach requires auser to carry around extra batteries, and also make sure that the extraset of batteries is charged. Solar-powered battery chargers are alsoknown, however, solar cells are expensive, and a large array of solarcells may be required to charge a battery of any significant capacity.Other approaches involve a mat or pad that allows charging of a devicewithout physically connecting a plug of the device to an electricaloutlet, by using electromagnetic signals. In this case, the device stillrequires to be placed in a certain location for a period of time inorder to be charged. Assuming a single source power transmission ofelectro-magnetic (EM) signal, an EM signal gets reduced by a factorproportional to 1/r2 in magnitude over a distance r, in other words, itis attenuated proportional to the square of the distance. Thus, thereceived power at a large distance from the EM transmitter is a smallfraction of the power transmitted. To increase the power of the receivedsignal, the transmission power would have to be boosted. Assuming thatthe transmitted signal has an efficient reception at three centimetersfrom the EM transmitter, receiving the same signal power over a usefuldistance of three meters would entail boosting the transmitted power by10,000 times. Such power transmission is wasteful, as most of the energywould be transmitted and not received by the intended devices, it couldbe hazardous to living tissue, it would most likely interfere with mostelectronic devices in the immediate vicinity, and it may be dissipatedas heat.

In yet another approach such as directional power transmission, it wouldgenerally require knowing the location of the device to be able to pointthe signal in the right direction to enhance the power transmissionefficiency. However, even when the device is located, efficienttransmission is not guaranteed due to reflections and interference ofobjects in the path or vicinity of the receiving device.

Electric energy is an important and expensive resource. At timesimproper handling of electric energy may lead to waste of the valuableresource, in other cases too much electrical current may damage certaindevices. It may also be beneficial in some cases to allow power sourcesto prioritize certain devices over others. In some cases determiningwhich devices to charge and at what times may be tedious. For example, aperson may forget to charge their phone thus making the phone run out ofbattery when most needed. Thus, a need exists for a system forscheduling or prioritizing power transmission in a wireless powernetwork. For similar reasons, a need exists for selecting anddeselecting devices to charge in a wireless power network.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits apower transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) tocreate a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver canbe connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive powerfrom the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least onereceiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium(e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform tocreate a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. Thetransmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveformin three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals(e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device.Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allowpowering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

A wireless power network may include wireless power transmitters eachwith an embedded wireless power transmitter manager. The wireless powertransmitter manager may include a wireless power manager application,which may be a software application hosted in a computing device. Thewireless power transmitter manager may include a GUI which may be usedby a user to perform management tasks.

The wireless power network may include a plurality of client deviceswith wireless power receivers built in as part of the device or adaptedexternally. Wireless power receivers may include a power receiverapplication configured to communicate with the power transmitter managerapplication in a wireless power transmitter. The wireless power managerapplication may include a device database where information about thewireless power network may be stored.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for controlling wireless power delivery,comprises: a transmitter comprising: two or more antenna elements; apower transmission signal circuit, operatively coupled to the two ormore antenna elements; a processor, operatively coupled to the powertransmission signal circuit, wherein the processor is configured tocontrol the generation of pocket-forming energy in three-dimensionalspace to one or more receivers via the two or more antenna elements andpower transmission signal circuit; and a storage, operatively coupled tothe processor, the storage being configured to store schedule data foreach of the one or more receiver, wherein the processor is configured toprocess the schedule data to control the generation of pocket-formingenergy.

In another embodiment, a method for controlling wireless power delivery,comprises: generating, by a transmitter comprising two or more antennaelements, pocket-forming energy in three-dimensional space fortransmission to one or more receiver; receiving, by the transmitter,schedule data for each of the one or more receiver; processing, by thetransmitter, the schedule data; and controlling, by the transmitter, thegeneration of pocket-forming energy based on the processed scheduledata.

In another embodiment, a method for controlling wireless power delivery,comprises: generating, by transmitter operatively coupled to aprocessor-controlled power transmission signal circuit, pocket-formingenergy in three-dimensional space, wherein the transmitter comprises twoor more antenna elements; receiving, by the transmitter, receiver datafor each of the one or more receivers; processing, by the transmitter,the receiver data; and controlling, by the transmitter, at least one ofa time, direction and power of generation of pocket-forming energy basedon the processed receiver data.

In a further embodiment, a processor-based method for selectivelycharging one or more devices in a wireless power network, comprises:communicating, by a processor, with at least one transmitter configuredto generate pocket-forming energy in three-dimensional space within thewireless power network; determining and displaying, by the processor,the presence of one or more receiver configured to receivepocket-forming energy within the wireless power network; receiving, bythe processor, receiver data relating to each of the one or morereceiver within the wireless power network; and selecting, by theprocessor, an operational configuration for at least one of the one ormore receiver for receiving pocket-forming energy.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for selectively charging one or moredevices in a wireless power network, comprises: a processor; a display,operatively coupled to the processor; communications configured forcommunicating with at least one transmitter configured to generatepocket-forming energy in three-dimensional space within the wirelesspower network; wherein the processor is configured to determine thepresence of one or more receiver configured to receive pocket-formingenergy within the wireless power network, wherein the communications isconfigured to receive receiver data relating to each of the one or morereceiver within the wireless power network, and an input configured forselecting an operational configuration for at least one of the one ormore receiver for receiving pocket-forming energy.

In yet another embodiment, a processor-based method for selectivelycharging one or more devices in a wireless power network, comprises:registering, by a processor, with at least one transmitter configured togenerate pocket-forming energy in three-dimensional space within thewireless power network; determining and displaying, by the processor,the presence of one or more receiver configured to receivepocket-forming energy within the wireless power network; receiving, bythe processor, receiver data relating to each of the one or morereceiver within the wireless power network; and selecting, by theprocessor, one or more charging options for at least one of the one ormore receiver for receiving pocket-forming energy within the wirelesspower network.

Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription. The objectives and other advantages of the invention willbe realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out inthe exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims hereofas well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are described by wayof example with reference to the accompanying figures which areschematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. Unless indicated asrepresenting the background art, the figures represent aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system overview, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates steps of wireless power transmission, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture for wireless power transmission,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates components of a system of wireless power transmissionusing pocket-forming procedures, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates steps of powering a plurality of receiver devices,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates waveforms for wireless power transmission withselective range, which may get unified in single waveform.

FIG. 6B illustrates waveforms for wireless power transmission withselective range, which may get unified in single waveform.

FIG. 7 illustrates wireless power transmission with selective range,where a plurality of pockets of energy may be generated along variousradii from transmitter.

FIG. 8 illustrates wireless power transmission with selective range,where a plurality of pockets of energy may be generated along variousradii from transmitter.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a diagram of an architecture for wirelesslycharging client computing platform, according to an exemplary embodiment

FIG. 10A illustrates wireless power transmission using multiplepocket-forming, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10B illustrates multiple adaptive pocket-forming, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power networkincluding a transmitter an wireless receivers.

FIG. 12 shows a sequence diagram of real time communication betweenwireless power transmitters, wireless power receivers, a wireless powermanager UI and a user, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary embodiment of scheduling records stored in adatabase.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power scheduling UI.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a process for managing charging schedules orpriorities.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary embodiment of a Wireless Power Manager GraphicUser Interface (GUI).

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a process to manually enable power charging ofa device in a wireless power network.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a process for disabling a device from chargingin a wireless power network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference toembodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Otherembodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Theillustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are notmeant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here. Furthermore,the various components and embodiments described herein may be combinedto form additional embodiments not expressly described, withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, and specific language will be used here to describe thesame. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scopeof the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and furthermodifications of the inventive features illustrated here, and additionalapplications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated here,which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and havingpossession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope ofthe invention.

I. Systems and Methods for Wireless Power Transmissions

A. Components System Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 for wireless power transmission by formingpockets of energy 104. The system 100 may comprise transmitters 101,receivers 103, client devices 105, and pocket detectors 107.Transmitters 101 may transmit power transmission signals comprisingpower transmission waves, which may be captured by receivers 103. Thereceivers 103 may comprise antennas, antenna elements, and othercircuitry (detailed later), which may convert the captured waves into auseable source of electrical energy on behalf of client devices 105associated with the receivers 103. In some embodiments, transmitters 101may transmit power transmission signals, made up of power transmissionwaves, in one or more trajectories by manipulating the phase, gain,and/or other waveform features of the power transmission waves, and/orby selecting different transmit antennas. In such embodiments, thetransmitters 101 may manipulate the trajectories of the powertransmission signals so that the underlying power transmission wavesconverge at a location in space, resulting in certain forms ofinterference. One type of interference generated at the convergence ofthe power transmission waves, “constructive interference,” may be afield of energy caused by the convergence of the power transmissionwaves such that they add together and strengthen the energy concentratedat that location—in contrast to adding together in a way to subtractfrom each other and diminish the energy concentrated at that location,which is called “destructive interference”. The accumulation ofsufficient energy at the constructive interference may establish a fieldof energy, or “pocket of energy” 104, which may be harvested by theantennas of a receiver 103, provided the antennas are configured tooperate on the frequency of the power transmission signals. Accordingly,the power transmission waves establish pockets of energy 104 at thelocation in space where the receivers 103 may receive, harvest, andconvert the power transmission waves into useable electrical energy,which may power or charge associated electrical client devices 105.Detectors 107 may be devices comprising a receiver 103 that are capableof producing a notification or alert in response to receiving powertransmission signals. As an example, a user searching for the optimalplacement of a receiver 103 to charge the user's client device 105 mayuse a detector 107 that comprises an LED light 108, which may brightenwhen the detector 107 captures the power transmission signals from asingle beam or a pocket of energy 104.

1. Transmitters

The transmitter 101 may transmit or broadcast power transmission signalsto a receiver 103 associated with a device 105. Although several of theembodiments mentioned below describe the power transmission signals asradio frequency (RF) waves, it should be appreciated that the powertransmission may be physical media that is capable of being propagatedthrough space, and that is capable of being converted into a source ofelectrical energy 103. The transmitter 101 may transmit the powertransmission signals as a single beam directed at the receivers 103. Insome cases, one or more transmitters 101 may transmit a plurality ofpower transmission signals that are propagated in a multiple directionsand may deflect off of physical obstructions (e.g., walls). Theplurality of power transmission signals may converge at a location in athree-dimensional space, forming a pocket of energy 104. Receivers 103within the boundaries of an energy pocket 104 may capture and covert thepower transmission signals into a useable source of energy. Thetransmitter 101 may control pocket-forming based on phase and/orrelative amplitude adjustments of power transmission signals, to formconstructive interference patterns.

Although the exemplary embodiment recites the use of RF wavetransmission techniques, the wireless charging techniques should not belimited to RF wave transmission techniques. Rather, it should beappreciated that possible wireless charging techniques may include anynumber of alternative or additional techniques for transmitting energyto a receiver converting the transmitted energy to electrical power.Non-limiting exemplary transmission techniques for energy that can beconverted by a receiving device into electrical power may include:ultrasound, microwave, resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laserlight, infrared, or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the caseof ultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may bedisposed so as to form a transducer array that transmits ultrasoundwaves toward a receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves andconverts them to electrical power. In the case of resonant or inductivemagnetic fields, magnetic fields are created in a transmitter coil andconverted by a receiver coil into electrical power. In addition,although the exemplary transmitter 101 is shown as a single unitcomprising potentially multiple transmitters (transmit array), both forRF transmission of power and for other power transmission methodsmentioned in this paragraph, the transmit arrays can comprise multipletransmitters that are physically spread around a room rather than beingin a compact regular structure. The transmitter includes an antennaarray where the antennas are used for sending the power transmissionsignal. Each antenna sends power transmission waves where thetransmitter applies a different phase and amplitude to the signaltransmitted from different antennas. Similar to the formation of pocketsof energy, the transmitter can form a phased array of delayed versionsof the signal to be transmitted, then applies different amplitudes tothe delayed versions of the signal, and then sends the signals fromappropriate antennas. For a sinusoidal waveform, such as an RF signal,ultrasound, microwave, or others, delaying the signal is similar toapplying a phase shift to the signal.

2. Pockets of Energy

A pocket of energy 104 may be formed at locations of constructiveinterference patterns of power transmission signals transmitted by thetransmitter 101. The pockets of energy 104 may manifest as athree-dimensional field where energy may be harvested by receivers 103located within the pocket of energy 104. The pocket of energy 104produced by transmitters 101 during pocket-forming may be harvested by areceiver 103, converted to an electrical charge, and then provided toelectronic client device 105 associated with the receiver 103 (e.g.,laptop computer, smartphone, rechargeable battery). In some embodiments,there may be multiple transmitters 101 and/or multiple receivers 103powering various client devices 105. In some embodiments, adaptivepocket-forming may adjust transmission of the power transmission signalsin order to regulate power levels and/or identify movement of thedevices 105.

3. Receivers

A receiver 103 may be used for powering or charging an associated clientdevice 105, which may be an electrical device coupled to or integratedwith the receiver 103. The receiver 103 may receive power transmissionwaves from one or more power transmission signals originating from oneor more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may receive the powertransmission signals as a single beam produced by the transmitter 101,or the receiver 103 may harvest power transmission waves from a pocketof energy 104, which may be a three-dimensional field in space resultingfrom the convergence of a plurality of power transmission waves producedby one or more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may comprise an arrayof antennas 112 configured to receive power transmission waves from apower transmission signal and harvest the energy from the powertransmission signals of the single beam or pocket of energy 104. Thereceiver 103 may comprise circuitry that then converts the energy of thepower transmission signals (e.g., the radio frequency electromagneticradiation) to electrical energy. A rectifier of the receiver 103 maytranslate the electrical energy from AC to DC. Other types ofconditioning may be applied, as well. For example, a voltageconditioning circuit may increase or decrease the voltage of theelectrical energy as required by the client device 105. An electricalrelay may then convey the electrical energy from the receiver 103 to theclient device 105.

In some embodiments, the receiver 103 may comprise a communicationscomponent that transmits control signals to the transmitter 101 in orderto exchange data in real-time or near real-time. The control signals maycontain status information about the client device 105, the receiver103, or the power transmission signals. Status information may include,for example, present location information of the device 105, amount ofcharge received, amount of charged used, and user account information,among other types of information. Further, in some applications, thereceiver 103 including the rectifier that it contains may be integratedinto the client device 105. For practical purposes, the receiver 103,wire 111, and client device 105 may be a single unit contained in asingle packaging.

4. Control Signals

In some embodiments, control signals may serve as data inputs used bythe various antenna elements responsible for controlling production ofpower transmission signals and/or pocket-forming. Control signals may beproduced by the receiver 103 or the transmitter 101 using an externalpower supply (not shown) and a local oscillator chip (not shown), whichin some cases may include using a piezoelectric material. Controlsignals may be RF waves or any other communication medium or protocolcapable of communicating data between processors, such as Bluetooth®,RFID, infrared, near-field communication (NFC). As detailed later,control signals may be used to convey information between thetransmitter 101 and the receiver 103 used to adjust the powertransmission signals, as well as contain information related to status,efficiency, user data, power consumption, billing, geo-location, andother types of information.

5. Detectors

A detector 107 may comprise hardware similar to receivers 103, which mayallow the detector 107 to receive power transmission signals originatingfrom one or more transmitters 101. The detector 107 may be used by usersto identify the location of pockets of energy 104, so that users maydetermine the preferable placement of a receiver 103. In someembodiments, the detector 107 may comprise an indicator light 108 thatindicates when the detector is placed within the pocket of energy 104.As an example, in FIG. 1, detectors 107 a, 107 b are located within thepocket of energy 104 generated by the transmitter 101, which may triggerthe detectors 107 a, 107 b to turn on their respective indicator lights108 a, 108 b, because the detectors 107 a, 107 b are receiving powertransmission signals of the pocket of energy 104; whereas, the indicatorlight 108 c of a third detector 107 c located outside of the pockets ofenergy 104, is turned off, because the third detector 107 c is notreceiving the power transmission signals from the transmitter 101. Itshould be appreciated that the functions of a detector, such as theindicator light, may be integrated into a receiver or into a clientdevice in alternative embodiments as well.

6. Client Device

A client device 105 may be any electrical device that requirescontinuous electrical energy or that requires power from a battery.Non-limiting examples of client devices 105 may include laptops, mobilephones, smartphones, tablets, music players, toys, batteries,flashlights, lamps, electronic watches, cameras, gaming consoles,appliances, GPS devices, and wearable devices or so-called “wearables”(e.g., fitness bracelets, pedometers, smartwatch), among other types ofelectrical devices.

In some embodiments, the client device 105 a may be a physical devicedistinct from the receiver 103 a associated with the client device 105a. In such embodiments, the client device 105 a may be connected to thereceiver over a wire 111 that conveys converted electrical energy fromthe receiver 103 a to the client device 105 a. In some cases, othertypes of data may be transported over the wire 111, such as powerconsumption status, power usage metrics, device identifiers, and othertypes of data.

In some embodiments, the client device 105 b may be permanentlyintegrated or detachably coupled to the receiver 103 b, thereby forminga single integrated product or unit. As an example, the client device105 b may be placed into a sleeve that has embedded receivers 103 b andthat may detachably couple to the device's 105 b power supply input,which may be typically used to charge the device's 105 b battery. Inthis example, the device 105 b may be decoupled from the receiver, butmay remain in the sleeve regardless of whether or not the device 105 brequires an electrical charge or is being used. In another example, inlieu of having a battery that holds a charge for the device 105 b, thedevice 105 b may comprise an integrated receiver 105 b, which may bepermanently integrated into the device 105 b so as to form an indistinctproduct, device, or unit. In this example, the device 105 b may relyalmost entirely on the integrated receiver 103 b to produce electricalenergy by harvesting pockets of energy 104. It should be clear tosomeone skilled in the art that the connection between the receiver 103and the client device 105 may be a wire 111 or may be an electricalconnection on a circuit board or an integrated circuit, or even awireless connection, such as inductive or magnetic.

B. Method of Wireless Power Transmission

FIG. 2 shows steps of wireless power transmission, according to anexemplary method 200 embodiment.

In a first step 201, a transmitter (TX) establishes a connection orotherwise associates with a receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments,transmitters and receivers may communicate control data over using awireless communication protocol capable of transmitting informationbetween two processors of electrical devices (e.g., Bluetooth®,Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, inembodiments implementing Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® variants, thetransmitter may scan for receiver's broadcasting advertisement signalsor a receiver may transmit an advertisement signal to the transmitter.The advertisement signal may announce the receiver's presence to thetransmitter, and may trigger an association between the transmitter andthe receiver. As described herein, in some embodiments, theadvertisement signal may communicate information that may be used byvarious devices (e.g., transmitters, client devices, sever computers,other receivers) to execute and manage pocket-forming procedures.Information contained within the advertisement signal may include adevice identifier (e.g., MAC address, IP address, UUID), the voltage ofelectrical energy received, client device power consumption, and othertypes of data related to power transmission. The transmitter may use theadvertisement signal transmitted to identify the receiver and, in somecases, locate the receiver in a two-dimensional space or in athree-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver,the transmitter may establish the connection associated in thetransmitter with the receiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver tocommunicate control signals over a second channel.

In a next step 203, the transmitter may use the advertisement signal todetermine a set of power transmission signal features for transmittingthe power transmission signals, to then establish the pockets of energy.Non-limiting examples of features of power transmission signals mayinclude phase, gain, amplitude, magnitude, and direction among others.The transmitter may use information contained in the receiver'sadvertisement signal, or in subsequent control signals received from thereceiver, to determine how to produce and transmit the powertransmission signals so that the receiver may receive the powertransmission signals. In some cases, the transmitter may transmit powertransmission signals in a way that establishes a pocket of energy, fromwhich the receiver may harvest electrical energy. In some embodiments,the transmitter may comprise a processor executing software modulescapable of automatically identifying the power transmission signalfeatures needed to establish a pocket of energy based on informationreceived from the receiver, such as the voltage of the electrical energyharvested by the receiver from the power transmission signals. It shouldbe appreciated that in some embodiments, the functions of the processorand/or the software modules may be implemented in an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC).

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the advertisementsignal or subsequent signal transmitted by the receiver over a secondcommunications channel may indicate one or more power transmissionsignals features, which the transmitter may then use to produce andtransmit power transmission signals to establish a pocket of energy. Forexample, in some cases the transmitter may automatically identify thephase and gain necessary for transmitting the power transmission signalsbased on the location of the device and the type of device or receiver;and, in some cases, the receiver may inform the transmitter the phaseand gain for effectively transmitting the power transmission signals.

In a next step 205, after the transmitter determines the appropriatefeatures to use when transmitting the power transmission signals, thetransmitter may begin transmitting power transmission signals, over aseparate channel from the control signals. Power transmission signalsmay be transmitted to establish a pocket of energy. The transmitter'santenna elements may transmit the power transmission signals such thatthe power transmission signals converge in a two-dimensional orthree-dimensional space around the receiver. The resulting field aroundthe receiver forms a pocket of energy from which the receiver mayharvest electrical energy. One antenna element may be used to transmitpower transmission signals to establish two-dimensional energytransmissions; and in some cases, a second or additional antenna elementmay be used to transmit power transmission signals in order to establisha three-dimensional pocket of energy. In some cases, a plurality ofantenna elements may be used to transmit power transmission signals inorder to establish the pocket of energy. Moreover, in some cases, theplurality of antennas may include all of the antennas in thetransmitter; and, in some cases, the plurality of antennas may include anumber of the antennas in the transmitter, but fewer than all of theantennas of the transmitter.

As previously mentioned, the transmitter may produce and transmit powertransmission signals, according to a determined set of powertransmission signal features, which may be produced and transmittedusing an external power source and a local oscillator chip comprising apiezoelectric material. The transmitter may comprise an RFIC thatcontrols production and transmission of the power transmission signalsbased on information related to power transmission and pocket-formingreceived from the receiver. This control data may be communicated over adifferent channel from the power transmission signals, using wirelesscommunications protocols, such as BLE, NFC, or ZigBee®. The RFIC of thetransmitter may automatically adjust the phase and/or relativemagnitudes of the power transmission signals as needed. Pocket-formingis accomplished by the transmitter transmitting the power transmissionsignals in a manner that forms constructive interference patterns.

Antenna elements of the transmitter may use concepts of waveinterference to determine certain power transmission signals features(e.g., direction of transmission, phase of power transmission signalwave), when transmitting the power transmission signals duringpocket-forming. The antenna elements may also use concepts ofconstructive interference to generate a pocket of energy, but may alsoutilize concepts of deconstructive interference to generate atransmission null in a particular physical location.

In some embodiments, the transmitter may provide power to a plurality ofreceivers using pocket-forming, which may require the transmitter toexecute a procedure for multiple pocket-forming. A transmittercomprising a plurality of antenna elements may accomplish multiplepocket-forming by automatically computing the phase and gain of powertransmission signal waves, for each antenna element of the transmittertasked with transmitting power transmission signals the respectivereceivers. The transmitter may compute the phase and gainsindependently, because multiple wave paths for each power transmissionsignal may be generated by the transmitter's antenna elements totransmit the power transmission signals to the respective antennaelements of the receiver.

As an example of the computation of phase/gain adjustments for twoantenna elements of the transmitter transmitting two signals, say X andY where Y is 180 degree phase shifted version of X (Y=−X). At a physicallocation where the cumulative received waveform is X−Y, a receiverreceives X−Y=X+X=2X, whereas at a physical location where the cumulativereceived waveform is X+Y, a receiver receives X+Y=X−X=0.

In a next step 207, the receiver may harvest or otherwise receiveelectrical energy from power transmission signals of a single beam or apocket of energy. The receiver may comprise a rectifier and AC/DCconverter, which may convert the electrical energy from AC current to DCcurrent, and a rectifier of the receiver may then rectify the electricalenergy, resulting in useable electrical energy for a client deviceassociated with the receiver, such as a laptop computer, smartphone,battery, toy, or other electrical device. The receiver may utilize thepocket of energy produced by the transmitter during pocket-forming tocharge or otherwise power the electronic device.

In next step 209, the receiver may generate control data containinginformation indicating the effectiveness of the single beam or energypockets providing the receiver power transmission signals. The receivermay then transmit control signals containing the control data, to thetransmitter. The control signals may be transmitted intermittently,depending on whether the transmitter and receiver are communicatingsynchronously (i.e., the transmitter is expecting to receive controldata from the receiver). Additionally, the transmitter may continuouslytransmit the power transmission signals to the receiver, irrespective ofwhether the transmitter and receiver are communicating control signals.The control data may contain information related to transmitting powertransmission signals and/or establishing effective pockets of energy.Some of the information in the control data may inform the transmitterhow to effectively produce and transmit, and in some cases adjust, thefeatures of the power transmission signals. Control signals may betransmitted and received over a second channel, independent from thepower transmission signals, using a wireless protocol capable oftransmitting control data related to power transmission signals and/orpocket-forming, such as BLE, NFC, Wi-Fi, or the like.

As mentioned, the control data may contain information indicating theeffectiveness of the power transmission signals of the single beam orestablishing the pocket of energy. The control data may be generated bya processor of the receiver monitoring various aspects of receiverand/or the client device associated with the receiver. The control datamay be based on various types of information, such as the voltage ofelectrical energy received from the power transmission signals, thequality of the power transmission signals reception, the quality of thebattery charge or quality of the power reception, and location or motionof the receiver, among other types of information useful for adjustingthe power transmission signals and/or pocket-forming.

In some embodiments, a receiver may determine the amount of power beingreceived from power transmission signals transmitted from thetransmitter and may then indicate that the transmitter should “split” orsegment the power transmission signals into less-powerful powertransmission signals. The less-powerful power transmission signals maybe bounced off objects or walls nearby the device, thereby reducing theamount of power being transmitted directly from the transmitter to thereceiver.

In a next step 211, the transmitter may calibrate the antennastransmitting the power transmission signals, so that the antennastransmit power transmission signals having a more effective set offeature (e.g., direction, phase, gain, amplitude). In some embodiments,a processor of the transmitter may automatically determine moreeffective features for producing and transmitting the power transmissionsignals based on a control signal received from the receiver. Thecontrol signal may contain control data, and may be transmitted by thereceiver using any number of wireless communication protocols (e.g.,BLE, Wi-Fi, ZigBee®). The control data may contain information expresslyindicating the more effective features for the power transmission waves;or the transmitter may automatically determine the more effectivefeatures based on the waveform features of the control signal (e.g.,shape, frequency, amplitude). The transmitter may then automaticallyreconfigure the antennas to transmit recalibrated power transmissionsignals according to the newly determined more-effective features. Forexample, the processor of the transmitter may adjust gain and/or phaseof the power transmission signals, among other features of powertransmission feature, to adjust for a change in location of thereceiver, after a user moved the receiver outside of thethree-dimensional space where the pocket of energy is established.

C. System Architecture of Power Transmission System

FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture 300 for wireless power transmissionusing pocket-forming, according to an exemplary embodiment.“Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more power transmissionwaves 342 that converge at a location in three-dimensional space,resulting in constructive interference patterns at that location. Atransmitter 302 may transmit and/or broadcast controlled powertransmission waves 342 (e.g., microwaves, radio waves, ultrasound waves)that may converge in three-dimensional space. These power transmissionwaves 342 may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitudeadjustments to form constructive interference patterns (pocket-forming)in locations where a pocket of energy is intended. It should beunderstood also that the transmitter can use the same principles tocreate destructive interference in a location thereby creating atransmission null—a location where transmitted power transmission wavescancel each other out substantially and no significant energy can becollected by a receiver. In typical use cases the aiming of a powertransmission signal at the location of the receiver is the objective;and in other cases it may be desirable to specifically avoid powertransmission to a particular location; and in other cases it may bedesirable to aim power transmission signal at a location whilespecifically avoiding transmission to a second location at the sametime. The transmitter takes the use case into account when calibratingantennas for power transmission.

Antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302 may operate in single array,pair array, quad array, or any other suitable arrangement that may bedesigned in accordance with the desired application. Pockets of energymay be formed at constructive interference patterns where the powertransmission waves 342 accumulate to form a three-dimensional field ofenergy, around which one or more corresponding transmission null in aparticular physical location may be generated by destructiveinterference patterns. Transmission null in a particular physicallocation-may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energydo not form because of destructive interference patterns of powertransmission waves 342.

A receiver 320 may then utilize power transmission waves 342 emitted bythe transmitter 302 to establish a pocket of energy, for charging orpowering an electronic device 313, thus effectively providing wirelesspower transmission. Pockets of energy may refer to areas or regions ofspace where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructiveinterference patterns of power transmission waves 342. In othersituations there can be multiple transmitters 302 and/or multiplereceivers 320 for powering various electronic equipment for examplesmartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same time.In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulatepower on electronic devices. Adaptive pocket-forming may refer todynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or moretargeted receivers.

Receiver 320 may communicate with transmitter 302 by generating a shortsignal through antenna elements 324 in order to indicate its positionwith respect to the transmitter 302. In some embodiments, receiver 320may additionally utilize a network interface card (not shown) or similarcomputer networking component to communicate through a network 340 withother devices or components of the system 300, such as a cloud computingservice that manages several collections of transmitters 302. Thereceiver 320 may comprise circuitry 308 for converting the powertransmission signals 342 captured by the antenna elements 324, intoelectrical energy that may be provided to and electric device 313 and/ora battery of the device 315. In some embodiments, the circuitry mayprovide electrical energy to a battery of receiver 335, which may storeenergy without the electrical device 313 being communicatively coupledto the receiver 320.

Communications components 324 may enable receiver 320 to communicatewith the transmitter 302 by transmitting control signals 345 over awireless protocol. The wireless protocol can be a proprietary protocolor use a conventional wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth®, BLE, Wi-Fi,NFC, ZigBee, and the like. Communications component 324 may then be usedto transfer information, such as an identifier for the electronic device313, as well as battery level information, geographic location data, orother information that may be of use for transmitter 302 in determiningwhen to send power to receiver 320, as well as the location to deliverpower transmission waves 342 creating pockets of energy. In otherembodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate powerprovided to electronic devices 313. In such embodiments, thecommunications components 324 of the receiver may transmit voltage dataindicating the amount of power received at the receiver 320, and/or theamount of voltage provided to an electronic device 313 b or battery 315.

Once transmitter 302 identifies and locates receiver 320, a channel orpath for the control signals 345 can be established, through which thetransmitter 302 may know the gain and phases of the control signals 345coming from receiver 320. Antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302may start to transmit or broadcast controlled power transmission waves342 (e.g., radio frequency waves, ultrasound waves), which may convergein three-dimensional space by using at least two antenna elements 306 tomanipulate the power transmission waves 342 emitted from the respectiveantenna element 306. These power transmission waves 342 may be producedby using an external power source and a local oscillator chip using asuitable piezoelectric material. The power transmission waves 342 may becontrolled by transmitter circuitry 301, which may include a proprietarychip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of powertransmission waves 342. The phase, gain, amplitude, and other waveformfeatures of the power transmission waves 342 may serve as inputs forantenna element 306 to form constructive and destructive interferencepatterns (pocket-forming). In some implementations, a micro-controller310 or other circuit of the transmitter 302 may produce a powertransmission signal, which comprises power transmission waves 342, andthat may be may split into multiple outputs by transmitter circuitry301, depending on the number of antenna elements 306 connected to thetransmitter circuitry 301. For example, if four antenna elements 306 a-dare connected to one transmitter circuit 301 a, the power transmissionsignal will be split into four different outputs each output going to anantenna element 306 to be transmitted as power transmission waves 342originating from the respective antenna elements 306.

Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change thedirectionality of the antenna element 306 where constructiveinterference generates a pocket of energy and destructive interferencegenerates a transmission null. Receiver 320 may then utilize pocket ofenergy produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronicdevice and therefore effectively providing wireless power transmission.

Multiple pocket-forming may be achieved by computing the phase and gainfrom each antenna 306 of transmitter 302 to each receiver 320.

D. Components of Systems Forming Pockets of Energy

FIG. 4 shows components of an exemplary system 400 of wireless powertransmission using pocket-forming procedures. The system 400 maycomprise one or more transmitters 402, one or more receivers 420, andone or more client devices 446.

1. Transmitters

Transmitters 402 may be any device capable of broadcasting wirelesspower transmission signals, which may be RF waves 442, for wirelesspower transmission, as described herein. Transmitters 402 may beresponsible for performing tasks related to transmitting powertransmission signals, which may include pocket-forming, adaptivepocket-forming, and multiple pocket-forming. In some implementations,transmitters 402 may transmit wireless power transmissions to receivers420 in the form of RF waves, which may include any radio signal havingany frequency or wavelength. A transmitter 402 may include one or moreantenna elements 406, one or more RFICs 408, one or moremicrocontrollers 410, one or more communication components 412, a powersource 414, and a housing that may allocate all the requested componentsfor the transmitter 402. The various components of transmitters 402 maycomprise, and/or may be manufactured using, meta-materials,micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and the like.

In the exemplary system 400, the transmitter 402 may transmit orotherwise broadcast controlled RF waves 442 that converge at a locationin three-dimensional space, thereby forming a pocket of energy 444.These RF waves may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitudeadjustments to form constructive or destructive interference patterns(i.e., pocket-forming). Pockets of energy 444 may be fields formed atconstructive interference patterns and may be three-dimensional inshape; whereas transmission null in a particular physical location maybe generated at destructive interference patterns. Receivers 420 mayharvest electrical energy from the pockets of energy 444 produced bypocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic client device 446(e.g., a laptop computer, a cell phone). In some embodiments, the system400 may comprise multiple transmitters 402 and/or multiple receivers420, for powering various electronic equipment. Non-limiting examples ofclient devices 446 may include: smartphones, tablets, music players,toys and others at the same time. In some embodiments, adaptivepocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices.

2. Receivers

Receivers 420 may include a housing where at least one antenna element424, one rectifier 426, one power converter 428, and a communicationscomponent 430 may be included.

Housing of the receiver 420 can be made of any material capable offacilitating signal or wave transmission and/or reception, for exampleplastic or hard rubber. Housing may be an external hardware that may beadded to different electronic equipment, for example in the form ofcases, or can be embedded within electronic equipment as well.

3. Antenna Elements

Antenna elements 424 of the receiver 420 may comprise any type ofantenna capable of transmitting and/or receiving signals in frequencybands used by the transmitter 402A. Antenna elements 424 may includevertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left handpolarization, elliptical polarization, or other polarizations, as wellas any number of polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizationscan be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferredorientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuouslythrough time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. Fordevices having a well-defined expected orientation (e.g., a two-handedvideo game controller), there might be a preferred polarization forantennas, which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of agiven polarization. Types of antennas in antenna elements 424 of thereceiver 420, may include patch antennas, which may have heights fromabout ⅛ inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛ inch to about 6inches. Patch antennas may preferably have polarization that dependsupon connectivity, i.e., the polarization may vary depending on fromwhich side the patch is fed. In some embodiments, the type of antennamay be any type of antenna, such as patch antennas, capable ofdynamically varying the antenna polarization to optimize wireless powertransmission.

4. Rectifier

Rectifiers 426 of the receiver 420 may include diodes, resistors,inductors, and/or capacitors to rectify alternating current (AC) voltagegenerated by antenna elements 424 to direct current (DC) voltage.Rectifiers 426 may be placed as close as is technically possible toantenna elements A24B to minimize losses in electrical energy gatheredfrom power transmission signals. After rectifying AC voltage, theresulting DC voltage may be regulated using power converters 428. Powerconverters 428 can be a DC-to-DC converter that may help provide aconstant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device,or as in this exemplary system 400, to a battery. Typical voltageoutputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In someembodiments, power converter may include electronic switched mode DC-DCconverters, which can provide high efficiency. In such embodiments, thereceiver 420 may comprise a capacitor (not shown) that is situated toreceive the electrical energy before power converters 428. The capacitormay ensure sufficient current is provided to an electronic switchingdevice (e.g., switch mode DC-DC converter), so it may operateeffectively. When charging an electronic device, for example a phone orlaptop computer, initial high-currents that can exceed the minimumvoltage needed to activate operation of an electronic switched modeDC-DC converter, may be required. In such a case, a capacitor (notshown) may be added at the output of receivers 420 to provide the extraenergy required. Afterwards, lower power can be provided. For example,1/80 of the total initial power that may be used while having the phoneor laptop still build-up charge.

5. Communications Component

A communications component 430 of a receiver 420 may communicate withone or more other devices of the system 400, such as other receivers420, client devices, and/or transmitters 402. Different antenna,rectifier or power converter arrangements are possible for a receiver aswill be explained in following embodiments.

E. Methods of Pocket Forming for a Plurality of Devices

FIG. 5 shows steps of powering a plurality of receiver devices,according to an exemplary embodiment.

In a first step 501, a transmitter (TX) establishes a connection orotherwise associates with a receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments,transmitters and receivers may communicate control data over using awireless communication protocol capable of transmitting informationbetween two processors of electrical devices (e.g., Bluetooth®, BLE,Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, in embodiments implement Bluetooth®or Bluetooth® variants, the transmitter may scan for receiver'sbroadcasting advertisement signals or a receiver may transmit anadvertisement signal to the transmitter. The advertisement signal mayannounce the receiver's presence to the transmitter, and may trigger anassociation between the transmitter and the receiver. As describedlater, in some embodiments, the advertisement signal may communicateinformation that may be used by various devices (e.g., transmitters,client devices, sever computers, other receivers) to execute and managepocket-forming procedures. Information contained within theadvertisement signal may include a device identifier (e.g., MAC address,IP address, UUID), the voltage of electrical energy received, clientdevice power consumption, and other types of data related to powertransmission waves. The transmitter may use the advertisement signaltransmitted to identify the receiver and, in some cases, locate thereceiver in a two-dimensional space or in a three-dimensional space.Once the transmitter identifies the receiver, the transmitter mayestablish the connection associated in the transmitter with thereceiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver to communicate controlsignals over a second channel.

As an example, when a receiver comprising a Bluetooth® processor ispowered-up or is brought within a detection range of the transmitter,the Bluetooth processor may begin advertising the receiver according toBluetooth® standards. The transmitter may recognize the advertisementand begin establishing connection for communicating control signals andpower transmission signals. In some embodiments, the advertisementsignal may contain unique identifiers so that the transmitter maydistinguish that advertisement and ultimately that receiver from all theother Bluetooth® devices nearby within range.

In a next step 503, when the transmitter detects the advertisementsignal, the transmitter may automatically form a communicationconnection with that receiver, which may allow the transmitter andreceiver to communicate control signals and power transmission signals.The transmitter may then command that receiver to begin transmittingreal-time sample data or control data. The transmitter may also begintransmitting power transmission signals from antennas of thetransmitter's antenna array.

In a next step 505, the receiver may then measure the voltage, amongother metrics related to effectiveness of the power transmissionsignals, based on the electrical energy received by the receiver'santennas. The receiver may generate control data containing the measuredinformation, and then transmit control signals containing the controldata to the transmitter. For example, the receiver may sample thevoltage measurements of received electrical energy, for example, at arate of 100 times per second. The receiver may transmit the voltagesample measurement back to the transmitter, 100 times a second, in theform of control signals.

In a next step 507, the transmitter may execute one or more softwaremodules monitoring the metrics, such as voltage measurements, receivedfrom the receiver. Algorithms may vary production and transmission ofpower transmission signals by the transmitter's antennas, to maximizethe effectiveness of the pockets of energy around the receiver. Forexample, the transmitter may adjust the phase at which the transmitter'santenna transmit the power transmission signals, until that powerreceived by the receiver indicates an effectively established pocketenergy around the receiver. When an optimal configuration for theantennas is identified, memory of the transmitter may store theconfigurations to keep the transmitter broadcasting at that highestlevel.

In a next step 509, algorithms of the transmitter may determine when itis necessary to adjust the power transmission signals and may also varythe configuration of the transmit antennas, in response to determiningsuch adjustments are necessary. For example, the transmitter maydetermine the power received at a receiver is less than maximal, basedon the data received from the receiver. The transmitter may thenautomatically adjust the phase of the power transmission signals, butmay also simultaneously continues to receive and monitor the voltagebeing reported back from receiver.

In a next step 511, after a determined period of time for communicatingwith a particular receiver, the transmitter may scan and/orautomatically detect advertisements from other receivers that may be inrange of the transmitter. The transmitters may establish a connection tothe second receiver responsive to Bluetooth® advertisements from asecond receiver.

In a next step 513, after establishing a second communication connectionwith the second receiver, the transmitter may proceed to adjust one ormore antennas in the transmitter's antenna array. In some embodiments,the transmitter may identify a subset of antennas to service the secondreceiver, thereby parsing the array into subsets of arrays that areassociated with a receiver. In some embodiments, the entire antennaarray may service a first receiver for a given period of time, and thenthe entire array may service the second receiver for that period oftime.

Manual or automated processes performed by the transmitter may select asubset of arrays to service the second receiver. In this example, thetransmitter's array may be split in half, forming two subsets. As aresult, half of the antennas may be configured to transmit powertransmission signals to the first receiver, and half of the antennas maybe configured for the second receiver. In the current step 513, thetransmitter may apply similar techniques discussed above to configure oroptimize the subset of antennas for the second receiver. While selectinga subset of an array for transmitting power transmission signals, thetransmitter and second receiver may be communicating control data. As aresult, by the time that the transmitter alternates back tocommunicating with the first receiver and/or scan for new receivers, thetransmitter has already received a sufficient amount of sample data toadjust the phases of the waves transmitted by second subset of thetransmitter's antenna array, to transmit power transmission waves to thesecond receiver effectively.

In a next step 515, after adjusting the second subset to transmit powertransmission signals to the second receiver, the transmitter mayalternate back to communicating control data with the first receiver, orscanning for additional receivers. The transmitter may reconfigure theantennas of the first subset, and then alternate between the first andsecond receivers at a predetermined interval.

In a next step 517, the transmitter may continue to alternate betweenreceivers and scanning for new receivers, at a predetermined interval.As each new receiver is detected, the transmitter may establish aconnection and begin transmitting power transmission signals,accordingly.

In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver may be electrically connectedto a device like a smart phone. The transmitter's processor would scanfor any Bluetooth devices. The receiver may begin advertising that it'sa Bluetooth device through the Bluetooth chip. Inside the advertisement,there may be unique identifiers so that the transmitter, when it scannedthat advertisement, could distinguish that advertisement and ultimatelythat receiver from all the other Bluetooth devices nearby within range.When the transmitter detects that advertisement and notices it is areceiver, then the transmitter may immediately form a communicationconnection with that receiver and command that receiver to begin sendingreal time sample data.

The receiver would then measure the voltage at its receiving antennas,send that voltage sample measurement back to the transmitter (e.g., 100times a second). The transmitter may start to vary the configuration ofthe transmit antennas by adjusting the phase. As the transmitter adjuststhe phase, the transmitter monitors the voltage being sent back from thereceiver. In some implementations, the higher the voltage, the moreenergy may be in the pocket. The antenna phases may be altered until thevoltage is at the highest level and there is a maximum pocket of energyaround the receiver. The transmitter may keep the antennas at theparticular phase so the voltage is at the highest level.

The transmitter may vary each individual antenna, one at a time. Forexample, if there are 32 antennas in the transmitter, and each antennahas 8 phases, the transmitter may begin with the first antenna and wouldstep the first antenna through all 8 phases. The receiver may then sendback the power level for each of the 8 phases of the first antenna. Thetransmitter may then store the highest phase for the first antenna. Thetransmitter may repeat this process for the second antenna, and step itthrough 8 phases. The receiver may again send back the power levels fromeach phase, and the transmitter may store the highest level. Next thetransmitter may repeat the process for the third antenna and continue torepeat the process until all 32 antennas have stepped through the 8phases. At the end of the process, the transmitter may transmit themaximum voltage in the most efficient manner to the receiver.

In another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter may detect a secondreceiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with thesecond receiver. When the transmitter forms the communication with thesecond receiver, the transmitter may aim the original 32 antennastowards the second receiver and repeat the phase process for each of the32 antennas aimed at the second receiver. Once the process is completed,the second receiver may getting as much power as possible from thetransmitter. The transmitter may communicate with the second receiverfor a second, and then alternate back to the first receiver for apredetermined period of time (e.g., a second), and the transmitter maycontinue to alternate back and forth between the first receiver and thesecond receiver at the predetermined time intervals.

In yet another implementation, the transmitter may detect a secondreceiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with thesecond receiver. First, the transmitter may communicate with the firstreceiver and re-assign half of the exemplary 32 the antennas aimed atthe first receiver, dedicating only 16 towards the first receiver. Thetransmitter may then assign the second half of the antennas to thesecond receiver, dedicating 16 antennas to the second receiver. Thetransmitter may adjust the phases for the second half of the antennas.Once the 16 antennas have gone through each of the 8 phases, the secondreceiver may be obtaining the maximum voltage in the most efficientmanner to the receiver.

F. Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range

1. Constructive Interference

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B show an exemplary system 600 implementing wirelesspower transmission principles that may be implemented during exemplarypocket-forming processes. A transmitter 601 comprising a plurality ofantennas in an antenna array, may adjust the phase and amplitude, amongother possible attributes, of power transmission waves 607, beingtransmitted from antennas of the transmitter 601. As shown in FIG. 6A,in the absence of any phase or amplitude adjustment, power transmissionwaves 607 a may be transmitted from each of the antennas will arrive atdifferent locations and have different phases. These differences areoften due to the different distances from each antenna element of thetransmitter 601 a to a receiver 605 a or receivers 605 a, located at therespective locations.

Continuing with FIG. 6A, a receiver 605 a may receive multiple powertransmission signals, each comprising power transmission waves 607 a,from multiple antenna elements of a transmitter 601 a; the composite ofthese power transmission signals may be essentially zero, because inthis example, the power transmission waves add together destructively.That is, antenna elements of the transmitter 601 a may transmit theexact same power transmission signal (i.e., comprising powertransmission waves 607 a having the same features, such as phase andamplitude), and as such, when the power transmission waves 607 a of therespective power transmission signals arrive at the receiver 605 a, theyare offset from each other by 180 degrees. Consequently, the powertransmission waves 607 a of these power transmission signals “cancel”one another. Generally, signals offsetting one another in this way maybe referred to as “destructive,” and thus result in “destructiveinterference.”

In contrast, as shown in FIG. 6B, for so-called “constructiveinterference,” signals comprising power transmission waves 607 b thatarrive at the receiver exactly “in phase” with one another, combine toincrease the amplitude of the each signal, resulting in a composite thatis stronger than each of the constituent signals. In the illustrativeexample in FIG. 6A, note that the phase of the power transmission waves607 a in the transmit signals are the same at the location oftransmission, and then eventually add up destructively at the locationof the receiver 605 a. In contrast, in FIG. 6B, the phase of the powertransmission waves 607 b of the transmit signals are adjusted at thelocation of transmission, such that they arrive at the receiver 605 b inphase alignment, and consequently they add constructively. In thisillustrative example, there will be a resulting pocket of energy locatedaround the receiver 605 b in FIG. 6B; and there will be a transmissionnull located around receiver in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 depicts wireless power transmission with selective range 700,where a transmitter 702 may produce pocket-forming for a plurality ofreceivers associated with electrical devices 701. Transmitter 702 maygenerate pocket-forming through wireless power transmission withselective range 700, which may include one or more wireless chargingradii 704 and one or more radii of a transmission null at a particularphysical location 706. A plurality of electronic devices 701 may becharged or powered in wireless charging radii 704. Thus, several spotsof energy may be created, such spots may be employed for enablingrestrictions for powering and charging electronic devices 701. As anexample, the restrictions may include operating specific electronics ina specific or limited spot, contained within wireless charging radii704. Furthermore, safety restrictions may be implemented by the use ofwireless power transmission with selective range 700, such safetyrestrictions may avoid pockets of energy over areas or zones whereenergy needs to be avoided, such areas may include areas includingsensitive equipment to pockets of energy and/or people which do not wantpockets of energy over and/or near them. In embodiments such as the oneshown in FIG. 7, the transmitter 702 may comprise antenna elements foundon a different plane than the receivers associated with electricaldevices 701 in the served area. For example the receivers of electricaldevices 701 may be in a room where a transmitter 702 may be mounted onthe ceiling. Selective ranges for establishing pockets of energy usingpower transmission waves, which may be represented as concentric circlesby placing an antenna array of the transmitter 702 on the ceiling orother elevated location, and the transmitter 702 may emit powertransmission waves that will generate ‘cones’ of energy pockets. In someembodiments, the transmitter 701 may control the radius of each chargingradii 704, thereby establishing intervals for service area to createpockets of energy that are pointed down to an area at a lower plane,which may adjust the width of the cone through appropriate selection ofantenna phase and amplitudes.

FIG. 8 depicts wireless power transmission with selective range 800,where a transmitter 802 may produce pocket-forming for a plurality ofreceivers 806. Transmitter 802 may generate pocket-forming throughwireless power transmission with selective range 800, which may includeone or more wireless charging spots 804. A plurality of electronicdevices may be charged or powered in wireless charging spots 804.Pockets of energy may be generated over a plurality of receivers 806regardless the obstacles 804 surrounding them. Pockets of energy may begenerated by creating constructive interference, according to theprinciples described herein, in wireless charging spots 804. Location ofpockets of energy may be performed by tracking receivers 806 and byenabling a plurality of communication protocols by a variety ofcommunication systems such as, Bluetooth® technology, infraredcommunication, Wi-Fi, FM radio, among others.

G. Exemplary System Embodiment Using Heat Maps

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a diagram of architecture 900A, 900B for awirelessly charging client computing platform, according to an exemplaryembodiment. In some implementations, a user may be inside a room and mayhold on his hands an electronic device (e.g. a smartphone, tablet). Insome implementations, electronic device may be on furniture inside theroom. The electronic device may include a receiver 920A, 920B eitherembedded to the electronic device or as a separate adapter connected toelectronic device. Receivers 920A, 920B may include all the componentsdescribed in FIG. 11. A transmitter 902A, 902B may be hanging on one ofthe walls of the room right behind user. Transmitters 902A, 902B mayalso include all the components described in FIG. 11.

As user may seem to be obstructing the path between receivers 920A, 920Band transmitters 902A, 902B, RF waves may not be easily aimed to thereceivers 920A, 920B in a linear direction. However, since the shortsignals generated from receivers 920A, 920B may be omni-directional forthe type of antenna element used, these signals may bounce over thewalls 944A, 944B until they reach transmitters 902A, 902B. A hot spot944A, 944B may be any item in the room which will reflect the RF waves.For example, a large metal clock on the wall may be used to reflect theRF waves to a user's cell phone.

A micro controller in the transmitter adjusts the transmitted signalfrom each antenna based on the signal received from the receiver.Adjustment may include forming conjugates of the signal phases receivedfrom the receivers and further adjustment of transmit antenna phasestaking into account the built-in phase of antenna elements. The antennaelement may be controlled simultaneously to steer energy in a givendirection. The transmitter 902A, 902B may scan the room, and look forhot spots 944A, 944B. Once calibration is performed, transmitters 902A,902B may focus RF waves in a channel following a path that may be themost efficient paths. Subsequently, RF signals 942A, 942B may form apocket of energy on a first electronic device and another pocket ofenergy in a second electronic device while avoiding obstacles such asuser and furniture.

When scanning the service area, the room in FIGS. 9A and 9B, thetransmitter 902A, 902B may employ different methods. As an illustrativeexample, but without limiting the possible methods that can be used, thetransmitter 902A, 902B may detect the phases and magnitudes of thesignal coming from the receiver and use those to form the set oftransmit phases and magnitudes, for example by calculating conjugates ofthem and applying them at transmit. As another illustrative example, thetransmitter may apply all possible phases of transmit antennas insubsequent transmissions, one at a time, and detect the strength of thepocket of energy formed by each combination by observing informationrelated to the signal from the receiver 920A, 920B. Then the transmitter902A, 902B repeats this calibration periodically. In someimplementations, the transmitter 902A, 902B does not have to searchthrough all possible phases, and can search through a set of phases thatare more likely to result in strong pockets of energy based on priorcalibration values. In yet another illustrative example, the transmitter902A, 902B may use preset values of transmit phases for the antennas toform pockets of energy directed to different locations in the room. Thetransmitter may for example scan the physical space in the room from topto bottom and left to right by using preset phase values for antennas insubsequent transmissions. The transmitter 902A, 902B then detects thephase values that result in the strongest pocket of energy around thereceiver 920 a, 920 b by observing the signal from the receiver 920 a,920 b. It should be appreciated that there are other possible methodsfor scanning a service area for heat mapping that may be employed,without deviating from the scope or spirit of the embodiments describedherein. The result of a scan, whichever method is used, is a heat-map ofthe service area (e.g., room, store) from which the transmitter 902A,902B may identify the hot spots that indicate the best phase andmagnitude values to use for transmit antennas in order to maximize thepocket of energy around the receiver.

The transmitters 902A, 902B, may use the Bluetooth connection todetermine the location of the receivers 920A, 920B, and may usedifferent non-overlapping parts of the RF band to channel the RF wavesto different receivers 920A, 920B. In some implementations, thetransmitters 902A, 902B, may conduct a scan of the room to determine thelocation of the receivers 920A, 920B and forms pockets of energy thatare orthogonal to each other, by virtue of non-overlapping RFtransmission bands. Using multiple pockets of energy to direct energy toreceivers may inherently be safer than some alternative powertransmission methods since no single transmission is very strong, whilethe aggregate power transmission signal received at the receiver isstrong.

H. Exemplary System Embodiment

FIG. 10A illustrates wireless power transmission using multiplepocket-forming 1000A that may include one transmitter 1002A and at leasttwo or more receivers 1020A. Receivers 1020A may communicate withtransmitters 1002A, which is further described in FIG. 11. Oncetransmitter 1002A identifies and locates receivers 1020A, a channel orpath can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming fromreceivers 1020A. Transmitter 1002A may start to transmit controlled RFwaves 1042A which may converge in three-dimensional space by using aminimum of two antenna elements. These RF waves 1042A may be producedusing an external power source and a local oscillator chip using asuitable piezoelectric material. RF waves 1042A may be controlled byRFIC, which may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/orrelative magnitudes of RF signals that may serve as inputs for antennaelements to form constructive and destructive interference patterns(pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference tochange the directionality of the antenna elements where constructiveinterference generates a pocket of energy 1060A and deconstructiveinterference generates a transmission null. Receivers 1020A may thenutilize pocket of energy 1060A produced by pocket-forming for chargingor powering an electronic device, for example, a laptop computer 1062Aand a smartphone 1052A and thus effectively providing wireless powertransmission.

Multiple pocket forming 1000A may be achieved by computing the phase andgain from each antenna of transmitter 1002A to each receiver 1020A. Thecomputation may be calculated independently because multiple paths maybe generated by antenna element from transmitter 1002A to antennaelement from receivers 1020A.

I. Exemplary System Embodiment

FIG. 10B is an exemplary illustration of multiple adaptivepocket-forming 1000B. In this embodiment, a user may be inside a roomand may hold on his hands an electronic device, which in this case maybe a tablet 1064B. In addition, smartphone 1052B may be on furnitureinside the room. Tablet 1064B and smartphone 1052B may each include areceiver either embedded to each electronic device or as a separateadapter connected to tablet 1064B and smartphone 1052B. Receiver mayinclude all the components described in FIG. 11. A transmitter 1002B maybe hanging on one of the walls of the room right behind user.Transmitter 1002B may also include all the components described in FIG.11. As user may seem to be obstructing the path between receiver andtransmitter 1002B, RF waves 1042B may not be easily aimed to eachreceiver in a line of sight fashion. However, since the short signalsgenerated from receivers may be omni-directional for the type of antennaelements used, these signals may bounce over the walls until they findtransmitter 1002B. Almost instantly, a micro-controller which may residein transmitter 1002B, may recalibrate the transmitted signals, based onthe received signals sent by each receiver, by adjusting gain and phasesand forming a convergence of the power transmission waves such that theyadd together and strengthen the energy concentrated at that location—incontrast to adding together in a way to subtract from each other anddiminish the energy concentrated at that location, which is called“destructive interference” and conjugates of the signal phases receivedfrom the receivers and further adjustment of transmit antenna phasestaking into account the built-in phase of antenna elements. Oncecalibration is performed, transmitter 1002B may focus RF waves followingthe most efficient paths. Subsequently, a pocket of energy 1060B mayform on tablet 1064B and another pocket of energy 1060B in smartphone1052B while taking into account obstacles such as user and furniture.The foregoing property may be beneficial in that wireless powertransmission using multiple pocket-forming 1000B may inherently be safeas transmission along each pocket of energy is not very strong, and thatRF transmissions generally reflect from living tissue and do notpenetrate.

Once transmitter 1002B identities and locates receiver, a channel orpath can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming fromreceiver. Transmitter 1002B may start to transmit controlled RF waves1042B that may converge in three-dimensional space by using a minimum oftwo antenna elements. These RF waves 1042B may be produced using anexternal power source and a local oscillator chip using a suitablepiezoelectric material. RF waves 1042B may be controlled by RFIC thatmay include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/or relativemagnitudes of RF signals, which may serve as inputs for antenna elementsto form constructive and destructive interference patterns(pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference tochange the directionality of the antenna elements where constructiveinterference generates a pocket of energy and deconstructiveinterference generates a null in a particular physical location.Receiver may then utilize pocket of energy produced by pocket-formingfor charging or powering an electronic device, for example a laptopcomputer and a smartphone and thus effectively providing wireless powertransmission.

Multiple pocket-forming 1000B may be achieved by computing the phase andgain from each antenna of transmitter to each receiver. The computationmay be calculated independently because multiple paths may be generatedby antenna elements from transmitter to antenna elements from receiver.

An example of the computation for at least two antenna elements mayinclude determining the phase of the signal from the receiver andapplying the conjugate of the receive parameters to the antenna elementsfor transmission.

In some embodiments, two or more receivers may operate at differentfrequencies to avoid power losses during wireless power transmission.This may be achieved by including an array of multiple embedded antennaelements in transmitter 1002B. In one embodiment, a single frequency maybe transmitted by each antenna in the array. In other embodiments someof the antennas in the array may be used to transmit at a differentfrequency. For example, ½ of the antennas in the array may operate at2.4 GHz while the other ½ may operate at 5.8 GHz. In another example, ⅓of the antennas in the array may operate at 900 MHz, another ⅓ mayoperate at 2.4 GHz, and the remaining antennas in the array may operateat 5.8 GHz.

In another embodiment, each array of antenna elements may be virtuallydivided into one or more antenna elements during wireless powertransmission, where each set of antenna elements in the array cantransmit at a different frequency. For example, an antenna element ofthe transmitter may transmit power transmission signals at 2.4 GHz, buta corresponding antenna element of a receiver may be configured toreceive power transmission signals at 5.8 GHz. In this example, aprocessor of the transmitter may adjust the antenna element of thetransmitter to virtually or logically divide the antenna elements in thearray into a plurality patches that may be fed independently. As aresult, ¼ of the array of antenna elements may be able to transmit the5.8 GHz needed for the receiver, while another set of antenna elementsmay transmit at 2.4 GHz. Therefore, by virtually dividing an array ofantenna elements, electronic devices coupled to receivers can continueto receive wireless power transmission. The foregoing may be beneficialbecause, for example, one set of antenna elements may transmit at about2.4 GHz and other antenna elements may transmit at 5.8 GHz, and thus,adjusting a number of antenna elements in a given array when workingwith receivers operating at different frequencies. In this example, thearray is divided into equal sets of antenna elements (e.g., four antennaelements), but the array may be divided into sets of different amountsof antenna elements. In an alternative embodiment, each antenna elementmay alternate between select frequencies.

The efficiency of wireless power transmission as well as the amount ofpower that can be delivered (using pocket-forming) may be a function ofthe total number of antenna elements 1006 used in a given receivers andtransmitters system. For example, for delivering about one watt at about15 feet, a receiver may include about 80 antenna elements while atransmitter may include about 256 antenna elements. Another identicalwireless power transmission system (about 1 watt at about 15 feet) mayinclude a receiver with about 40 antenna elements, and a transmitterwith about 512 antenna elements. Reducing in half the number of antennaelements in a receiver may require doubling the number of antennaelements in a transmitter. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial toput a greater number of antenna elements in transmitters than in areceivers because of cost, because there will be much fewer transmittersthan receivers in a system-wide deployment. However, the opposite can beachieved, e.g., by placing more antenna elements on a receiver than on atransmitter as long as there are at least two antenna elements in atransmitter 1002B.

II. Wireless Power Software Management System

A. Systems and Methods for Managing and Controlling a Wireless PowerNetwork (Basic)

FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power network 1100in which one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may operate.Wireless power network 1100 may include communication between wirelesspower transmitter 1102 and one or more wireless powered receivers.Wireless powered receivers may include a client device 1104 with anadaptable paired receiver 1106 that may enable wireless powertransmission to the client device 1104. In another embodiment, a clientdevice 1104 include a wireless power receiver built in as part of thehardware of the device. Client device 1104 may be any device which usesan energy power source, such as, laptop computers, stationary computers,mobile phones, tablets, mobile gaming devices, televisions, radiosand/or any set of appliances that may require or benefit from anelectrical power source.

In one embodiment, wireless power transmitter 1102 may include amicroprocessor that integrates a power transmitter manager app 1108 (PWRTX MGR APP) as embedded software, and a third party applicationprogramming interface 1110 (Third Party API) for a Bluetooth Low Energychip 1112 (BLE CHIP HW). Bluetooth Low Energy chip 1112 may enablecommunication between wireless power transmitter 1102 and other devicessuch as, client device 1104. In some embodiment, Bluetooth Low Energychip 1112 may be utilize another type of wireless protocol such asBluetooth®, Wi-Fi, NFC, and ZigBee. Wireless power transmitter 1102 mayalso include an antenna manager software 1114 (Antenna MGR Software) tocontrol an RF antenna array 1116 that may be used to form controlled RFwaves that act as power transmission signals that may converge in 3-dspace and create pockets of energy on wireless power receivers. Althoughthe exemplary embodiment recites the use of RF waves as powertransmission signals, the power transmission signals may include anynumber of alternative or additional techniques for transmitting energyto a receiver converting the transmitted energy to electrical power.

Power transmitter manager app 1108 may call third party applicationprogramming interface 1110 for running a plurality of functions such asstarting a connection, ending a connection, and sending data amongothers. Third party application programming interface 1110 may commandBluetooth Low Energy chip 1112 according to the functions called bypower transmitter manager app 1108.

Power transmitter manager app 1108 may also include a database 1118,which may store database comprising identification and attributeinformation of the wireless power transmitter 1102, of the receiver1106, and of client devices 1104. Exemplary identification and attributeinformation includes identifiers for a client device 1104, voltageranges for a client device 1104, location, signal strength and/or anyrelevant information from a client device 1104. Database 1118 may alsostore information relevant to the wireless power network such as,receiver ID's, transmitter ID's, end-user handheld devices, systemmanagement servers, charging schedules (information indicative of thescheduling of a charge time for the client device 1104), chargingpriorities and/or any data relevant to a wireless power network. Otherexamples of identification and attribute information include informationindicative of level of power usage of one of the client device 1104;information indicative of power received at the receiver 1106 that isavailable to the client device 1104; and information of the duration ofpower usage of the client device.

Third party application programming interface 1110 at the same time maycall power transmitter manager app 1108 through a callback functionwhich may be registered in the power transmitter manager app 1108 atboot time. Third party application programming interface 1110 may have atimer callback that may go for ten times a second, and may sendcallbacks every time a connection begins, a connection ends, aconnection is attempted, or a message is received.

Client device 1104 may include a power receiver app 1120 (PWR RX APP), athird party application programming interface 1122 (Third party API) fora Bluetooth Low Energy chip 1124 (BLE CHIP HW), and a RF antenna array1126 which may be used to receive and utilize the pockets of energy sentfrom wireless power transmitter 1102.

Power receiver app 1120 may call third party application programminginterface 1122 for running a plurality of functions such as start aconnection, end the connection, and send data among others. Third partyapplication programming interface 1122 may have a timer callback thatmay go for ten times a second, and may send callbacks every time aconnection begins, a connection ends, a connection is attempted, ormessage is received.

Client device 1104 may be paired to an adaptable paired receiver 1106via a BLE connection 1128. A graphical user interface (GUI 1130) may beused to manage the wireless power network from a client device 1104. GUI1130 may be a software module that may be downloaded from any suitableapplication store and may run on any suitable operating system such asiOS and Android, among others. Client device 1104 may also communicatewith wireless power transmitter 1102 via a BLE connection 1128 to sendimportant data such as an identifier for the device as well as batterylevel information, antenna voltage, geographic location data, or otherinformation that may be of use for the wireless power transmitter 1102.

A wireless power manager 1132 software may be used in order to managewireless power network 1100. Wireless power manager 1132 may be asoftware module hosted in memory and executed by a processor inside acomputing device 1134. The wireless power manager 1132 may includeinstructions to generate outputs and to receive inputs via a GraphicalUser Interface (GUI), so that a user 1136 may see options and statuses,and may enter commands to manage the wireless power network 1100. Thecomputing device 1134 may be connected to the wireless power transmitter1102 through standard communication protocols which may includeBluetooth®, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, NFC, and ZigBee®. Powertransmitter manager app 1108 may exchange information with wirelesspower manager 1132 in order to control access and power transmissionfrom client devices 1104. Functions controlled by the wireless powermanager 1132 may include, scheduling power transmission for individualdevices, priorities between different client devices, access credentialsfor each client, physical location, broadcasting messages, and/or anyfunctions required to manage the wireless power network 1100.

FIG. 12 shows a sequence diagram 1200 for a real time communicationbetween wireless powered transmitters and wireless powered receivers,according to an embodiment.

Sequence diagram 1200 illustrates the interactions between objects orroles in a wireless powered network. The objects or roles described heremay include, but is not limited to, a user 1202 which manages thewireless power network, a wireless power manager 1204 which serves as afront end application for managing the wireless power network, powerreceiver devices with corresponding power receiver apps 1206 andtransmitters with corresponding power transmitter manager apps 1208.

The process may begin when wireless power manager 1204 requests 1210information from a power transmitter manager app 1208 hosted in awireless transmitter. Request 1210 may include authentication securitysuch as user name and password. Power transmitter manager apps 1208 maythen verify the request 1210 and grant access to the wireless powermanager 1204.

Wireless power manager 1204 may continuously request 1210 informationfor different time periods in order to continue updating itself. Powertransmitter manager app 1208 may then send database records 1212 to thewireless power manager 1204. Wireless power manager 1204 may thendisplay 1214 these records with options in a suitable GUI to a user1202. User 1202 may then perform different actions in order to managethe wireless power network. For example and without limitation, a user1202 may configure powering schedules 1216 for different devices, theuser 1202 may also establish priorities depending on time 1218, type ofclient 1220, physical location 1222 or may even choose to broadcast amessage 1224 to client devices. The wireless power manager 1204 may thensend 1226 the updated database records back to the power transmittermanager apps 1208.

In a wireless network power grid more than one transmitter may be used.Power transmitter manager apps 1208 hosted on each transmitter may shareupdates 1228 to the device database. Power transmitter manager apps 1208may then perform an action 1230 depending on the command and updatesmade by the user 1202 such as, charge a wireless device, send a messageto the wireless devices, set a schedule to charge different devices, setpower priority to specific devices, etc.

B. System and Method for Enabling Automatic Charging Schedules in aWireless Power Network to One or More Devices

FIG. 13 is an exemplary embodiment of how scheduling records 1300 may bestored in the database 1318 in a wireless power network. The database1318 may contain a power receiver record 1302 for each power receiverfound in the wireless power network. Power receiver records 1302 mayinclude scheduling records 1300 associated with each power receiverrecord 1302, and also a record for every other type of device in thewireless power network, such as power transmitter records, managementserver records, and client device records, all of which store suchinformation as, but not limited to, status, control, command, andconfiguration. Power receiver records 1302 may include schedulingrecords 1300 associated with each power receiver record 1302. Schedulingrecords may include information such as time, user name, e-pocket, 3d orangular location, power transmitter manager, priority or/and any set ofinformation used for automatic or manually scheduling power transmissionto one or more power receiving devices. For example, time may serve tostore times of the day at which device may be charged. Priority mayserve to indicate the priority of charging the device over otherdevices, at a specific time. User name may serve to differentiate deviceusers from each other and assign priorities depending on that. E-pocketmay serve to store the physical location at which any wireless powerreceiver shall be immediately charged.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power scheduling UI1400. Wireless power scheduling UI 1400 may be a software module hostedin memory and executed by a processor in a computing device 1434.Wireless power scheduling UI 1400 may also be included as part of awireless power manager application in order to manage wireless powerschedules in a wireless power network.

Wireless power scheduling UI 1400 may query scheduling records from adatabase in a wireless power transmitter and present them to a user inthe display of a computing device 1434 such as, a smartphone or laptop,or web page. The user may select a power receiver and set schedulingoptions for that power receiver or execute any user interface functionof the wireless power network using known in the art UI navigation toolssuch as, a mouse click or touch screen for example or by text message(SMS) or by email or by voice recognition or by motion gesture ofhandheld device, for example. In the exemplary embodiment the wirelesspower scheduling UI 1400 may allow the user to select time 1402 periodsand assign a priority level 1404 for charging the device during thattime period.

In another embodiment, a user may set priorities based on the user of adevice. For example the UI may present a user with the user namesassociated with each power receiver record. The user may then assigndifferent priority levels 1404 for each user.

In another embodiment, priorities may be set depending on a place orlocation. For example, the UI may present a user with the pockets ofenergy (also referred to as e-pockets), and a user may assign a prioritylevel 1404 to the specific pocket of energy which in turn may be a fixedlocation.

Changes or configurations done by a user in wireless power scheduling UI1400 may then be saved to the database in a wireless power transmitter.The wireless power transmitter may then refer to the scheduling recordsstored in the database in order to perform any time scheduled powertransmission or identify transmission priorities.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart describing a process 1500 by which a user may setup charging schedules or priorities. The process may begin when a useraccesses a wireless power scheduling UI (block 1502). The wireless powerscheduling UI may be a software module hosted in memory and executed bya processor in a suitable computing device, such as, a laptop computer,smartphone and the like. The wireless power scheduling software may thenquery (block 1504) a database stored in a wireless power transmitter inorder to extract scheduling records and priorities for all wirelesspower receivers in the wireless power network. The extracted informationmay then be presented (block 1506) to the user in a wireless powerscheduling UI such as the one described in FIG. 14. The user may thenmanage schedules and priorities (block 1508) for all the devices throughthe wireless power scheduling UI using any navigation tools provided bythe computing device such as, for example, touchscreens, keyboards andmouse. Schedules and priorities set or changed by the user may then besaved to the database stored in a wireless power transmitter (block1510).

A wireless power transmitter may continually query scheduling recordsand perform actions accordingly to automatically control the presentstate of charging for one or more power receivers.

C. System and Method for Manually Selecting and Deselecting Devices toCharge in a Wireless Power Network

FIG. 16 is an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power charging UI 1600.Wireless power charging UI 1600 may be a software module hosted inmemory and executed by a processor in a computing device 1634. Wirelesspower charging UI 1600 may be included as part of a wireless powermanager application in order to select and deselect one or more wirelesspower devices to charge or power in a wireless power network.

Wireless power charging UI 1600 may include a charge off area 1602 whichmay display device icons that represent the different client devices1604 that are not to have power transmitted to them in a wireless powernetwork. If the device, represented by a given icon, contains a batterythen its icon, or a sub-icon near the device icon may also additionallyinclude a charge level 1606 icon which may serve as an indication ofbattery present charge or state and/or how much energy charge the clientdevices 1604 battery, if any, posses at the moment.

Wireless power charging UI 1600 may also include a charging area 1608which may display icons that represent the different client devices 1604that are receiving power from a wireless power transmitter in a wirelesspower network. Each icon may also include a charge level 1606 icon whichmay serve as an indication of battery present charge state and/or howmuch energy charge the client device's 1604 battery, if any, posses atthe moment. A client device 1604 in the charging area 1608 may alsoinclude additional indicators to show a device is charging. For exampleand without limitation, a client device 1604 icon may be surrounded by aflashing or pulsating halo when the device is receiving power; inanother example the charge level 1606 icon may be flashing; In yetanother example; the client device 1604 may include transparentoverlapped text such as a message reading “Charging”.

User may drag and drop a client device 1604 from the charge off area1602 into the charging area 1608 in order to begin charging a device. Auser may also select a client device 1604 from the charging area 1608and drag and drop it into the charge off area 1602 in order to stopcharging the device. The user may perform this actions using known inthe art UI navigation tools such as, a mouse click or touch screen forexample.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart describing a process 1700 by which a user maycharge a device in a wireless power network. The process may begin whena user accesses, logs on to, or begins to use the wireless powercharging UI (block 1702). The wireless power charging UI may be asoftware module hosted in memory and executed by a processor in asuitable computing device, such as, a laptop computer, smartphone andthe like. The wireless power charging UI may be a software moduleimplemented as part of the wireless power manager application (describedin FIG. 11) used to manage a wireless power network. The wireless powercharging software may then query (block 1704) a database stored in awireless power transmitter in order to extract records of all wirelesspower receivers in the wireless power network. The wireless powercharging UI may also create a local copy of the database in the memoryof the computing device hosting the wireless power charging UI. A copyof the database may be re-created and mirrored into each computingdevice in the wireless power network in order to create a distributeddatabase environment and enable sharing all the information across allcomputing devices in the wireless power network. Extracted informationmay include for example records indicating status of each wireless powerreceiver in the wireless power network, their associated client devices,battery level and charge status, owner, and/or any associatedinformation from the components in a wireless power network. Theextracted information may then be presented (block 1706) and shown tothe user in a wireless power charging UI such as the one described inFIG. 16. From the wireless power charging UI the user may select andhold the icon for the device he may desire to charge from the charge offscreen area of the wireless power charging UI (block 1708). At thispoint the icon for the device may change or become highlighted in orderto indicate that the device has been selected, for example the image ofthe icon may become larger when a user selects the device from thecharge off area. The user may then drag the icon device from the chargeoff area to the charging area (block 1710). The wireless power chargingUI may then update the database and send commands to the wireless powertransmitter (block 1712) in order to begin charging the device. Thedatabase in the wireless power transmitter may then be updated with anynecessary information. The charging area of the wireless power chargingUI may then display an icon indicating that the selected device ischarging (block 1714). The icon from the corresponding device may thenbe removed from the charge off area of the wireless power charging UI.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart describing a process 1800 by which a user maydisable a device from charging in a wireless power network. The processmay begin when a user accesses the wireless power charging UI (block1802). The wireless power charging UI may be a software module hosted inmemory and executed by a processor in a suitable computing device, suchas, a laptop computer, smartphone and the like. The wireless powercharging UI may be a software module implemented as part of the wirelesspower manager application (described in FIG. 11) used to manage awireless power network. The wireless power charging software may thenquery (block 1804) a database stored in a wireless power transmitter inorder to extract records of all wireless power receivers in the wirelesspower network. Extracted information may include for example recordsindicating status of each wireless power receiver in the wireless powernetwork, their associated devices, battery level and charge status,owner, and/or any associated information from the components in awireless power network. The extracted information may then be presented(block 1806) and shown to the user in a wireless power charging UI suchas the one described in FIG. 16. From the wireless power charging UI theuser may select and hold the icon for the device he may desire to chargeoff, from within the charging area of the wireless power charging UI(block 1808). At this point the icon for the device may change or behighlighted in order to indicate that the device has been selected, forexample the image of the icon may become larger when a user selects thedevice from the charging area. The user may then drag and drop the icondevice from the charging area to the charge off area (block 1810). Thewireless power charging UI may then update the database and sendcommands to the wireless power transmitter (block 1812) to disablecharging the device. The database in the wireless power transmitter maythen be updated with any necessary information. The charge off area ofthe wireless power charging UI may then display an icon of the deviceindicating that the selected device is no longer being charged (block1814). The icon of the corresponding device may then be removed from thecharging area of the wireless power charging UI.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspectsand embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodimentsdisclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to belimiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

The foregoing method descriptions and the interface configuration areprovided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to requireor imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed inthe order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the artthe steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order.Words such as “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the orderof the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader throughthe description of the methods. Although process flow diagrams maydescribe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operationscan be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order ofthe operations may be re-arranged. A process may correspond to a method,a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a processcorresponds to a function, its termination may correspond to a return ofthe function to the calling function or the main function.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedhere may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentinvention.

Embodiments implemented in computer software may be implemented insoftware, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware descriptionlanguages, or any combination thereof. A code segment ormachine-executable instructions may represent a procedure, a function, asubprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a softwarepackage, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures,or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another codesegment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information,data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments,parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via anysuitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing,network transmission, etc.

The actual software code or specialized control hardware used toimplement these systems and methods is not limiting of the invention.Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and methods weredescribed without reference to the specific software code beingunderstood that software and control hardware can be designed toimplement the systems and methods based on the description here.

When implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or moreinstructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable orprocessor-readable storage medium. The steps of a method or algorithmdisclosed here may be embodied in a processor-executable software modulewhich may reside on a computer-readable or processor-readable storagemedium. A non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable mediaincludes both computer storage media and tangible storage media thatfacilitate transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Anon-transitory processor-readable storage media may be any availablemedia that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and notlimitation, such non-transitory processor-readable media may compriseRAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other tangible storagemedium that may be used to store desired program code in the form ofinstructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computeror processor. Disk and disc, as used here, include compact disc (CD),laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, andBlu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, whilediscs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as oneor any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on anon-transitory processor-readable medium and/or computer-readablemedium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of modifying wireless power delivery forreceiving electronic devices, the method comprising: at an electronicdevice having a display: receiving wireless-power-delivery records for aplurality of receiving electronic devices, including awireless-power-delivery record for a first receiving electronic device;displaying, in a user interface presented on the display, a first userinterface object that includes identifiers for at least some of theplurality of receiving electronic devices, including an identifier forthe first receiving electronic device; in response to detecting a userselection of the identifier for the first receiving electronic device:displaying, in the user interface, a second user interface object thatincludes a representation of a portion of the wireless-power-deliveryrecord for the first receiving electronic device; and detecting, viauser input provided at the second user interface object, a modificationof the portion of the wireless-power-delivery record, the modificationdefining a physical location at which the first receiving electronicdevice is to receive wirelessly delivered power from a wireless powertransmitter, wherein the physical location corresponds to a portion of atransmission field of the wireless power transmitter; and in response todetecting the modification, updating the wireless-power-delivery recordin accordance with the modification, wherein: the wireless powertransmitter transmits electromagnetic (EM) waves that constructivelyinterfere at the physical location when the first receiving electronicdevice is located within the physical location, and the first receivingelectronic device is powered or charged using energy from theconstructively interfering EM waves.
 2. The method of claim 1, whereinthe second user interface object is displayed adjacent to the first userinterface object in the user interface.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the electronic device is not one of the plurality of receivingelectronic devices.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein updating thewireless-power- delivery record comprises providing the updatedwireless-power-delivery record to the wireless power transmitter afterreceiving a request from the wireless power transmitter.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein: the modification of the portion of thewireless-power-delivery record also adjusts a priority level that isused to determine when the first receiving electronic device receiveswirelessly delivered power as compared to a second receiving electronicdevice.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the modification of theportion of the wireless-power-delivery record also modifies a scheduledtime period when the first receiving electronic device is to receivewirelessly delivered power from the wireless power transmitter from afirst time period to a second time period.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the modification of the portion of the wireless-power-deliveryrecord also: (i) moves a scheduled time period for the first receivingelectronic device to receive wirelessly delivered power from thewireless power transmitter from a first time period to a second timeperiod, and (ii) adjusts a priority level of the first receivingelectronic device that is used to determine when the first receivingelectronic device receives wirelessly delivered power as compared toanother receiving electronic device of the plurality of receivingelectronic devices.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein: the receiving,displaying, detecting, and updating occur while the wireless powertransmitter is transmitting EM waves to a second receiving electronicdevice of the plurality of receiving electronic devices.
 9. The methodof claim 1, wherein receiving the wireless-power- delivery records forthe plurality of receiving electronic devices comprises receiving thewireless-power-delivery records from the wireless power transmitter. 10.The method of claim 9, wherein receiving the wireless-power-deliveryrecords from the wireless power transmitter comprises receiving thewireless-power-delivery records from a wireless power managerapplication that is executing on the wireless power transmitter.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: the wireless power transmitter is a firstwireless power transmitter; and receiving the wireless-power-deliveryrecords for the plurality of receiving electronic devices comprisesreceiving the wireless-power-delivery records from a plurality ofwireless power transmitters, including the first wireless powertransmitter.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality ofreceiving electronic devices comprises a respective client device thatis coupled with a respective wireless power receiver that is configuredto harvest the energy from the constructively interfering EM waves topower or charge the respective client device.
 13. The method of claim 1,wherein, the wireless power transmitter receives information from thefirst receiving electronic device that indicates the first receivingelectronic device is located within the physical location.
 14. Anelectronic device, comprising: at least one processor; a display; andmemory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the atleast one processor, cause the electronic device to: receivewireless-power-delivery records for a plurality of receiving electronicdevices, including a wireless-power-delivery record for a firstreceiving electronic device; display, in a user interface presented onthe display, a first user interface object that includes identifiers forat least some of the plurality of receiving electronic devices,including an identifier for the first receiving electronic device; inresponse to detecting a user selection of the identifier for the firstreceiving electronic device: display, in the user interface, a seconduser interface object that includes a representation of a portion of thewireless-power-delivery record for the first receiving electronicdevice; and detect, via user input provided at the second user interfaceobject, a modification of the portion of the wireless-power-deliveryrecord, the modification defining a physical location at which the firstreceiving electronic device is to receive wirelessly delivered powerfrom a wireless power transmitter, wherein the physical locationcorresponds to a portion of a transmission field of the wireless powertransmitter; and in response to detecting the modification, update thewireless-power-delivery record in accordance with the modification,wherein: the wireless power transmitter transmits electromagnetic (EM)waves that constructively interfere at the physical location when thefirst receiving electronic device is located within the physicallocation, and the first receiving electronic device is powered orcharged using energy from the constructively interfering EM waves. 15.The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the second user interfaceobject is displayed adjacent to the first user interface object in theuser interface.
 16. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein theelectronic device is not one of the plurality of receiving electronicdevices.
 17. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein updating thewireless-power-delivery record comprises providing the updatedwireless-power-delivery record to the wireless power transmitter afterreceiving a request from the wireless power transmitter.
 18. Theelectronic device of claim 14, wherein receiving thewireless-power-delivery records for the plurality of receivingelectronic devices comprises receiving the wireless-power-deliveryrecords from the wireless power transmitter.
 19. The electronic deviceof claim 14, wherein: the wireless power transmitter is a first wirelesspower transmitter; and receiving the wireless-power-delivery records forthe plurality of receiving electronic devices comprises receiving thewireless-power-delivery records from a plurality of wireless powertransmitters, including the first wireless power transmitter.
 20. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing executableinstructions that, when executed by an electronic device with at leastone processor and a display, cause the electronic device to: receivewireless-power-delivery records for a plurality of receiving electronicdevices, including a wireless-power-delivery record for a firstreceiving electronic device; display, in a user interface presented onthe display, a first user interface object that includes identifiers forat least some of the plurality of receiving electronic devices,including an identifier for the first receiving electronic device; inresponse to detecting a user selection of the identifier for the firstreceiving electronic device: display, in the user interface, a seconduser interface object that includes a representation of a portion of thewireless-power-delivery record for the first receiving electronicdevice; and detect, via user input provided at the second user interfaceobject, a modification of the portion of the wireless-power-deliveryrecord, the modification defining a physical location at which the firstreceiving electronic device is to receive wirelessly delivered powerfrom a wireless power transmitter, wherein the physical locationcorresponds to a portion of a transmission field of the wireless powertransmitter; and in response to detecting the modification, update thewireless-power-delivery record in accordance with the modification,wherein: the wireless power transmitter transmits electromagnetic (EM)waves that constructively interfere at the physical location when thefirst receiving electronic device is located within the physicallocation, and the first receiving electronic device is powered orcharged using energy from the constructively interfering EM waves.